Mixing assemblies including magnetic impellers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to improved magnetic mixing assemblies and mixing system. The magnetic mixing assemblies can provide improved mixing action, ease of use, and low friction. The mixing assemblies can be adapted for use with a wide variety of containers including narrower neck containers and flexible containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnetic impeller comprising a first blade and a second blade, wherein the first and second blades are adapted to rotate about a common axis, and wherein the first blade is disposed above the second blade, and wherein the magnetic impeller is adapted to permit substantial alignment of the first blade and the second blade in a first configuration, and wherein the magnetic impeller is adapted to partially freely rotate the first blade relative to the second blade, wherein the magnetic impeller comprises a magnetic material. 
     
     
       2. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the first configuration is a non-operational configuration. 
     
     
       3. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second blades has a non-rectilinear cross-sectional profile, and wherein at least one of the first and second blades is adapted to generate lift in a fluid. 
     
     
       4. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller comprises a magnetic element, and wherein the magnetic element comprises a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
       5. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller is adapted to be physically decoupled to a vessel during operation. 
     
     
       6. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second blades comprises an arcuate major surface adapted to generate relative lift in a fluid. 
     
     
       7. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second blades have an angle of attack, A A , as measured by the angle formed between a major surface of the blade and the common axis, and wherein A A  is at least at least 50 degrees. 
     
     
       8. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second blades have a camber angle, A C , as defined by an external angle formed by the intersection of tangents of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the blade, and wherein A C  is greater than 20 degrees. 
     
     
       9. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller is a non-superconducting magnetic impeller. 
     
     
       10. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller comprises a housing having a shaft, and a retention member adapted to retain the first and second blades about the shaft, wherein the retention member is rotationally fixed to the housing. 
     
     
       11. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller comprises a housing, and wherein the housing comprises a sealed pocket. 
     
     
       12. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the first blade comprises a first flange, and the second blade comprises a second flange, and wherein when the first blade rotates, the first flange contacts the second flange thereby causing the second blade to rotate in a second configuration. 
     
     
       13. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein each blade has a major surface defined by a width, W B , and a length, L B , and wherein a ratio of L B /W B  is at least 2.0. 
     
     
       14. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein each blade has an average thickness, T B , and wherein a ratio of W B /T B  is at least 2.0. 
     
     
       15. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic impeller is adapted to engage with a drive magnet. 
     
     
       16. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material is ferromagnetic. 
     
     
       17. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material is comprised of a ferromagnetic material selected from the group consisting of a steel, an iron, a cobalt, a nickel, and a precious metals, particularly palladium or platinum. 
     
     
       18. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material comprises a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
       19. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic impeller has a mass, M ME , in grams, wherein the driving magnet has a power, P DM , as characterized by its magnetic flux density and measured in teslas, and wherein a ratio of P DM /M ME  is at least 1.0. 
     
     
       20. The magnetic impeller according to  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic impeller is adapted to maintain engagement with the driving magnet when the magnetic impeller is subjected to an acceleration of at least 0.5 revolutions per minute per second (RPM/s).